Quantum Computing: Programs and Systems will be structured around reading and discussing several foundational research papers in realizing quantum computers. Students will also complete two programming assignments to implement algorithms in open-source quantum frameworks. The goal of the course is to bring students up-to-speed on recent developments in realizing quantum computers, which will be a strong foundation for pursuing research or to be a subject expert in industry.

The class will include short recorded lectures available for viewing any time from the course management website. We will discuss the readings via a course forum where students pick a question to answer about each paper and post the answer after reading the papers. For a handful of the most contentious topics in quantum computing, we will have debates via student presentations representing various viewpoints in the latest research.

In effort to make this class flexible for students in different time zones, we will have no exams or final. But, participation in reading discussions on the forum, oral presentations, and completion of the short programming assignments will be important.